In a case of suspected murder, the body of a local youth who had gone missing recently was found dumped in a canal near Rupnagar on Monday. The police have not yet registered an FIR but are suspecting it to be a case of murder as some external injury marks were visible on the body.

Meanwhile, the family members of the victim have alleged police inaction in finding the victim after he went missing.

Deepak Sikri, 22, a graduate from Shahimajra in Mohali who had been working with an IT firm for the last three months, had gone missing a few days ago, and had last contacted his family on August 11. After that, the phone was switched off and he did not return home.

Following his disappearance, his father Rakesh Kumar along with others went to the firm in Shahimajra where his son was working. Sources said that the father learnt that Deepak had received a threat from somebody in the company which led the father to believe that his son was kidnapped. He approached the police, and a case of missing person was registered at the Phase 1 police station.

On Monday, Deepak’s body was found by a passer-by in a canal at Jhallian village in Rupnagar district. The Rupnagar police was informed, and Deepak’s family soon reached the spot. They alleged that Deepak was murdered and had several injury marks on his body. After an autopsy, the victim’s viscera was sent for further chemical examination.

Mohali SP Harpal Sandhu said, “The post-mortem report is awaited but we’re suspecting a murder. A case will be registered only after we get the autopsy report.”

The victim’s father alleged that although they had informed the police about foul play in his disappearance, the police failed to act on time. They also demanded strict action against the investigation officials.